§ 22 §1597-A — Consent to a minor's decision to have an abortion

Maine § 22 §1597-A

• Jurisdiction: Maine
• Title 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE
• Part 3: PUBLIC HEALTH
• Ch. 263-B: ABORTIONS

Text

1.
Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
2.
Prohibitions; exceptions.
Except as otherwise provided by law, a health care professional, as defined in section 1596, subsection 1, paragraph C, may not knowingly perform an abortion upon a pregnant minor unless:
3.
Informed consent; disallowance of recovery.
A health care professional, as defined in section 1596, subsection 1, paragraph C, may not perform an abortion upon a minor unless, prior to performing the abortion, that health care professional has received the informed written consent of the minor.
4.
Information and counseling for minors.
The provision of information and counseling by any health care professional, as defined in section 1596, subsection 1, paragraph C, or counselor for any pregnant minor for decision making regarding pregnancy must be in accordance with this subsection.
5.
Presumption of validity of informed written consent; rebuttal.
An informed consent which is evidenced in writing containing information and statements provided in subsection 4 and which is signed by the minor shall be presumed to be a valid informed consent. This presumption may be subject to rebuttal only upon proof that the informed consent was obtained through fraud, deception or misrepresentation of material fact.
6.
Court order concerning consent to abortion.
The court may issue an order for the purpose of consenting to the abortion by the minor under the following circumstances and procedures.
7.
Abortion performed against the minor's will.
An abortion may not be performed on any minor against the minor's will, except that an abortion may be performed against the will of a minor pursuant to a court order described in subsection 6 that the abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the minor.
8.
Violations; penalties.
The following penalties apply to violations of this section.
9.
Nonseverability.
In the event that any portion of this section is held invalid, it is the intent of the Legislature that this entire section shall be invalid.

Legislative History

PL 1989, c. 573, §2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 600, §B21 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §K11 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §X2 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 262, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B, §6 (AMD). RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §§96, 97 (COR). PL 2025, c. 316, §3 (REV).